Christine May Tomiatti collection on Michael Joseph Kimmel, 1917-1919

Author

Finding aid prepared by Krystle Farman

Title

Christine May Tomiatti collection on Michael Joseph Kimmel

Date

1917-1919

Repository

University of Kentucky Special Collections

Arrangement

The photographs were removed from their original scrapbook pages due to preservation concerns. The pages of the scrapbook were numbered and each photograph's corresponding page number is noted in the inventory. Several of the photographs were loose in the scrapbook and consequently they do not have a page number associated with them.

Conditions Governing Access note

The intellectual rights to the collection reside with the University of Kentucky Archives.

Preferred Citation Note

2010ms013, Christine May Tomiatti collection on Michael Joseph Kimmel, University of Kentucky Archives.

Extent

1.0 Cubic feet

Abstract

The Christine May Tomiatti collection on Michael Joseph Kimmel contains correspondence from the American Expeditionary Force, sketches, newspaper clippings, lists of battles, and other materials pertaining to Kimmel's service in France during World War I. The journal and photographs document the lives of the men he served with, the lives of the prisoners, the battles he experienced, and sketches of some of the battle fields.

Biography/History

Michael Joseph Kimmel was born Christopher Kimmel to Ralph Kimmel and Elizabeth McCormick-Kimmel on October 29 (30), 1896 in New York City, New York. Prior to World War I, Kimmel was employed as an Embalmer's Assistant. He enlisted on June 19, 1917 at the age of 21 in the United States Army Ambulance Service (USAAS). During the war, his unit was engaged in the following battles: Champagne, Mons Sector in January 1918; Marne, Dormans in July 1918; Champagne, Mons Sector in September 1918; Ardennes, Aisne Sector in September 1918; Aisne, Rethel in September 1918; Meuse, Fagnon in October 1918; and Meuse & Argonne, Mezieres in November 1918. Upon return to the United States, Kimmel married May A. Olson (born February 1, 1903) and had one child, Dorothy May Kimmel-Richards (born August 21, 1924). He worked as an undertaker until his death on August 20, 1963.

Scope and Content

The Christine May Tomiatti collection on Michael Joseph Kimmel contains correspondence from the American Expeditionary Force, sketches, newspaper clippings, lists of battles, and other materials pertaining to Kimmel's service in France during World War I. Included in the collection are photographs and correspondence from General John J. Pershing, a highly regarded World War I general who was later promoted to General of the Armies. Cities and battle sites depicted in the photographs and journal include, but are not limited to, Tours, Marne, Champagne, Sept Saulx, Mezieres, and Paris, France. The journal and photographs document the lives of the men he served with, the lives of the prisoners, the battles he experienced, and sketches of some of the battle fields. The titles of the photographs were retrieved from typed notes on the front and handwritten notes on the back of the photographs. Typically the typed notes provided a brief description, whereas the handwritten notes added a place and date.

Newspaper clipping of the funeral of Wallace Winter, November 17, 1930

Newspaper Clipping. Firing of the Salute. New York American, November 17, 1930

Journal of Michael Kimmel. Descriptions of life on the front. Included in the back of the journal: battles, remarks, list of men from unit, and names and addresses of men from unit, June 19, 1917 - April 26, 1919

Lettre de Felicitations. From Petain to Michael Kimmel, July 28, 1918

"Enemies as Hosts in Wartime." Article written by Capt. James Norman Hall about being shot down and captured by the Germans. The New York Times Magazine, October 12, 1919

[Box: 9, Item: 8]

Two articles written by Don Martin. First, about Capt. J.N. Hall and Lt. Rickenbacker's victory over German aircraft. The Herald, First: May 6, 1918, Second: May 7, 1918

[Box: 9, Item: 9]

List of names and addresses of men from unit, circa 1917-1919

[Box: 9, Item: 10]

Michael Kimmel Scrapbook, 1917-1919

[Box: 8, Item: 1]

Scope and Content Note:

The photos and clippings were removed from the scrapbook. Three clippings still remain in the scrapbook. The first is a personal note from General Pershing to Michael Kimmel on page 172. The second is a "Lettre de Felicitations" from Petain to Michael Kimmel on page 173. The third is a newspaper clipping of Sgt. Edmond McKillop, Sgt. Phil Garrigns and an unknown woman on page 178.